Application Guide

How to Apply for Base Building and Communications Manager

at Race Forward

🏢 About Race Forward

Race Forward is a pioneering racial justice organization with over 40 years of history, uniquely combining policy advocacy, cultural strategy, and institutional transformation. Working here offers a chance to be part of a mission-driven team that centers communities of color and builds multiracial democracy.

About This Role

This role is critical to the H.E.A.L. Together and HEAL To Win programs, focusing on base building and communications to advance honest education and racial justice. You will empower grassroots networks and amplify movement messaging, directly impacting how communities organize for systemic change.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve coordinating with grassroots partners via video calls, drafting a newsletter update on campaign wins, and analyzing social media metrics to refine messaging. You could also be preparing talking points for a press release or facilitating a strategy session with the HEAL Together coalition.

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🎯 Who Race Forward Is Looking For

  • Experienced in base building, community organizing, or movement communications, preferably within racial justice or education equity contexts.
  • Skilled in crafting compelling narratives and managing multi-platform communications (social media, newsletters, press) that resonate with diverse audiences.
  • Able to work remotely with strong self-management, collaboration across teams, and commitment to Race Forward’s values of racial justice and equity.
  • Familiar with the education justice landscape and the political dynamics surrounding honest history and racial equity in schools.

📝 Tips for Applying to Race Forward

1

Highlight specific experience with base building or grassroots communications, including metrics like growth of email lists, social media engagement, or event turnout.

2

Demonstrate understanding of the HEAL Together campaign and how your work aligns with its goals of supporting educators and communities fighting for honest education.

3

Showcase ability to work in a unionized environment by mentioning any previous collaboration with unions or labor-organizing contexts.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize remote work skills, such as asynchronous communication, project management tools (e.g., Asana, Slack), and self-directed productivity.

5

Include a brief note on your familiarity with Race Forward’s history (since 1981) and their merger with Center for Social Inclusion to show genuine interest.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Express commitment to racial justice and how your background aligns with Race Forward’s mission to build a multiracial democratic society.', 'Detail your experience in base building and communications, with concrete examples of how you’ve mobilized communities or shifted narratives.', 'Explain why you’re drawn to the HEAL Together program specifically and how you can contribute to its success.', 'Mention your ability to work collaboratively in a remote team and your understanding of the unionized workplace context.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Race Forward’s latest reports and publications, especially those related to education equity and the HEAL Together campaign.
  • → Follow Race Forward’s social media channels and note their messaging tone and key campaigns.
  • → Review the organization’s history, including the 2017 merger with Center for Social Inclusion, to understand their evolution.
  • → Look into the current political landscape around critical race theory and honest education to contextualize the role’s importance.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach building a base of supporters for a campaign like HEAL Together in a remote environment?
2 Can you describe a time you managed a communications crisis or rapid response situation?
3 How do you ensure your communications are inclusive and center the voices of people of color?
4 What metrics do you use to measure the success of base building and communications efforts?
5 How do you prioritize tasks when juggling multiple campaigns and stakeholders?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t mention Race Forward’s specific programs or mission.
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of base building vs. traditional marketing or PR.
  • Overlooking the unionized nature of the position; avoid expressing any negativity or confusion about union membership.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Race Forward!

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